Career Overview
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Also Known As
- Carpenter Assistant
- Carpenter Helper
- Carpenter's Helper
Alternate Job Titles
- Beam Builder Helper
- Building Carpenter Helper
- Cabinetmaker Helper
- Carpenter Assistant
- Carpenter Helper
- Carpenter Mate
- Carpenter's Helper
- Construction Carpenter's Helper
- Cooper Helper
- Hammerer Helper
- Hardwood Floor Installation Helper
- Helper
- House Carpenter Helper
- Joiner Helper
- Shipwright Helper
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
- Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
- Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
- Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Cut or weld metal.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Transportation
- English Language
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Extent Flexibility
- Problem Sensitivity
- Static Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Oral Comprehension
- Visualization
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Block planes
- Braces and bits
- Brooms
- Carpenters' chisels
- Carpenters' levels
- Caulking guns
- Chalk lines
- Circular saws
- Claw hammers
- Combination squares
- Concrete floats
- Concrete vibrators
- Dial calipers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,540 |
| Median | $41,600 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $52,380 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 24,610
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,480
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $38,140
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,270
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,860
Helpers--Electricians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,890
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.